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Creative Writing | Academic Requirements | Courses | Faculty

The Creative Writing B.A. Program:
Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting general degree requirements, creative writing majors must complete a minimum of nine courses and an 8-credit senior project (42 credits total) with a 3.0 (B) GPA or higher, as follows:

  1. CWR 1000/Poetic Techniques
  2. CWR 1100/Narrative Techniques
  3. Two courses in the student’s chosen genre (poetry or fiction):
    CWR 2400/Poetry Writing I and CWR 3400/Poetry Writing II
    or
    CWR 2500/Fiction Writing I and CWR 3500/Fiction Writing II
  4. Three upper-level literature courses
  5. One advanced seminar in the student’s chosen genre:
    CWR 4510/Advanced Seminar in Fiction Writing or
    CWR 4511/Advanced Seminar in Poetry Writing
  6. CWR 4890/Senior Colloquium in Creative Writing, to be taken in tandem with CWR 4990/Senior Project in Creative Writing

Sequence of Study
All creative writing majors follow a sequence of courses, whether their chosen genre is poetry or fiction:

  1. To encourage an awareness of and sensitivity to the various aspects of the craft of creative writing, students are required to take an introductory course in poetry (CWR 1000/Poetic Techniques) and fiction (CWR 1100/Narrative Techniques). Each course is a prerequisite for further work in the genre. All creative writing majors must complete these two courses within the first year of study.
     
  2. In the second year, the student moves on to CWR 2400/ Poetry Writing I or CWR 2500/Fiction Writing I, then to CWR 3400/Poetry Writing II or CWR 3500/Fiction Writing II.
     
  3. After completing this course sequence, students have the opportunity to study for one semester with a writer-in-residence. In addition, advanced tutorials are available on a regular basis, emphasizing continuous, close work on revision and editing skills. In the most advanced classes, students begin to explore the fiction and poetry market. A component of advanced study may also include experience in editorial and copyediting techniques as preparation for work in the publishing industries.

Updated May 13, 2008



For current majors:

Creative Writing B.A. Tracking Sheet and Graduation Application
In consultation with your faculty advisor, use this handy form to keep track of the courses you need to graduate!